The Madras high court on Friday commenced hearing of appeals by former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa and others against their February 2000 convictions by a special court in the 'Pleasant Stay hotel case.' Opening arguments on Jayalalithaa's appeal in the court of justice N Dinakar, senior supreme court advocate K K Venugopal pointed out that the Investigating Officer (IO) in reply to a specific question by the trial court had said that no monetary consideration was involved. The I.O. had testifed that there was no evidence to show that the promoters of the hotel, Rakesh Mittal and Palai N Shanmugham (since deceased) had given Jayalalithaa, former state local administration minister T M Selvaganapathy or former secretary municipal administration H M Pandey, who were also convicted in the case, any 'consideration'. The I.O. had also said in his deposition that there was also nothing to show any relationship or previous connection between Jayalalithaa and the promoters, he said.

Bureau Report